'Park Smart' program urges safety at Murfreesboro parks

As the weather warms and more people venture outside, Murfreesboro's Parks and Recreation Department and Police Department are partnering to promote safety in local parks.

The “Park Smart” campaign kicked off Tuesday at recreation facilities, greenways, and parks to encourage patrons to focus on a safer, more enjoyable, parks experience, according to a news release from the city.

“We hope this campaign will remind motorists to secure their vehicles in parking lots. An unlocked vehicle with purses, electronics and other valuables left inside is a very easy target for a burglar, who can be in and out of a car in seconds," Interim Chief of Police Michael Bowen said in the release.

“Members of our great community visit city parks and the greenway for wellness, recreation and to enjoy nature,” Assistant Park Director Angela Jackson said. “We should all expect to have a good experience but we also share responsibility for our own awareness — to take precautions and report problems. We are fortunate to have great police officers patrolling our parks, and the Park Smart campaign is intended to encourage park patrons to think about better ways to protect property and stay safe.”

The campaign will include posting informational signs in greenway kiosks, at trailheads, and in recreation facilities with tips and reminders about park safety. Personnel will also distribute imprinted reminders at various locations, trailheads, and informational booths at community events, and offer tips and videos through the City website and social media pages. The preliminary message in park safety will focus on parking lot and trailhead safety: ‘Park Smart — Hide your stuff, lock your car, take your key.’

Additional communication and efforts include continued and increased police patrol, maintenance initiatives to identify and address landscaping, underbrush, or environmental considerations to increase visibility or change to chronic problem areas, and continued monitoring of lighting, restrooms, shelters, and security cameras.